Each week, we here at Gaming Illustrated are always playing a number of different video games. However, we may not be talking about them in reviews or editorials. That doesn’t mean they aren’t worth talking about, but for any number of reasons an avenue to speak on them doesn’t come up. To remedy the issue, we’re going to ask our staff (and you, honestly) what’s in your box?

What’s in Kalvin’s Box

My true life partner is returning to me this weekend, but video games wait for no soul mate. While I want to say I’ve been playing all the real ass games, the truth is Pokémon Go still has captured my imagination. However, I did get some quality time with Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition.

Guide My Hand

I am sad it has taken me so long to make time for Ori and the Blind Forest. Its debut at E3 a few years ago absolutely floored me and captured my attention. Truthfully, I bought it a few months after it came out and just never found the time to play it. My lack of desire to spend time on Xbox One was part of it, but mostly I was too busy with the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at the time.

Ori and the Blind Forest has great gameplay, but also a beautiful and whimsical story.

I waited so long to play it the Definitive Edition came out by the time I had time for it, which is lucky because I get to experience the whole game with all the new content from the start. It is a shame I hadn’t gotten into the game sooner because it is absolutely fantastic with lush graphics and an absolutely beautiful score.

What took me by surprise is how challenging the game gets. The platforming is really tough at spots. Like all things that are difficult, it also makes it super gratifying when you complete a section that was making you pull your hair out. The controls are super responsive, and all of Ori’s movements are fast and fluid. Most of the time if you can’t do something, it is a fuck up on your part.

The Definitive Edition is the perfect entry point for anyone who missed out last year.

Ori and the Blind Forest is also one of the best metroidvanias in a while, probably since Guacamelee! That is no faint praise since it is no secret Guacamele holds a dear spot in my heart. If you’ve been like me and slept on Ori and the Blind Forest then I highly recommend you give it a shot.

Tell Me When to Pokemon Stop

Pokémon Go is fascinating since it is a game with seemingly no discernible mechanics. Everything is nebulous about the game from the gym mechanics to the how and where Pokémon spawn. Yet despite its gooey nature, people can’t stop playing it.

It is a week-long phenomenon, but it doesn’t show signs of slowing down. Sure people will stop blowing up social media about because something else is bound to release that will take the top spot, but the app will probably enjoy a long life as people use it on commutes and waiting in line or for a friend.

Will people be going on drives or meet-ups to hunt down Pokémon next month? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean people won’t be trying to hatch eggs or fill out their PokéDex. What matters is Niantic has planned for the future of the app.

After a few days, you’ll turn the AR function off because it’ll make the app slightly more stable.

Make no bones about it, in spite of its popularity; Pokémon Go is a pretty shoddy app. The servers get bogged down easily and the game has crashed like 60 times on me when trying to catch a Pokémon this week alone. There is also the issue of not being able to use the touch screen after coming out of power save mode. Saying nothing of the garbage battery drain it has.

All of that is housekeeping stuff that’ll come in incremental upgrades. What is most pressing is how they planned to release additional Pokémon from the series extensive roster. Do they sell expansions or are all Pokémon additions free and they bank on people’s need to expand their bags/Pokémon capacity? When will trading come into play and how will it work or affect the game?

Catching Pokémon on the go is actually still pretty fun.

Lastly, there needs to be battles outside of gyms. There is no reason to catch and train up Pokémon if you can’t battle against your friends or randos on the street. That’d also require them to firm up the battle mechanics because right now they’re rough.

Pokémon Go is an interesting app, but it has a ways to go before it deserves the hype.

Kalvin Martinez

Kalvin Martinez studied Creative Writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He writes reviews, prose and filthy limericks. While he is Orange County born, he now resides in Portland, OR. He is still wondering what it would be like to work at a real police department. Follow Kalvin on Twitter @freepartysubs